Float structure having supplementary floating bodies

ABSTRACT

A float structure having supplementary floating bodies that is comprised of a cavitary body, the hollow internal aspect of which enables buoyance and floatation in water, and a plurality of floating bodies disposed within the cavitary body. Given such a structure, when a float, containing the plurality of floating bodies in its cavitary body, incurs collision and wear damage that results in leakage and a loss of the floating body capability it should possess, the supplementation provided by the invention herein constitutes another source of buoyance that supports the entire float in retaining a major portion of its buoyance, thereby preventing the float from sinking and maintaining a set buoyant force.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1) Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a float structure having supplementary floating bodies, specifically an float enhancement structure of a simple arrangement in which when a float so equipped is damaged and leakage occurs, the buoyant capability of the float is still maintained.

2) Description of the Related Art

Many float patents are presented under the Taiwan Patent Bulletin numbers 254801, 259076, 259077, 260135, 287513, 315829, 329080, 370072, 370958, and 358452. Said float patents generally disclose an identical type of hollow cavity float structure. While such float structures are admittedly practical, after long-term placement in water and subjection to wind and sunlight, in addition to oxidation and related wear, since the float structures are interconnectable in quantities to accommodate various applications, such as wharfs, damage to the floats from impact is also difficult to avoid. Consequently, in the event that leakage results following damage, the affected floats lose the floating body capability they should possess. As such, there is opportunity for substantial improvement of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objective of the invention is to provide an improved float structure having supplementary floating bodies that is comprised of a cavitary body, the hollow internal aspect of which enables buoyance and floatation in water, and a plurality of floating bodies disposed within the cavitary body. Given said arrangement, when a float, containing the plurality of floating bodies in its cavitary body, incurs impact and wear damage that results in leakage and a loss of the floating body capability it should possess, the supplementation provided constitutes another source of buoyance that supports the entire float in retaining a major portion of its buoyance, thereby preventing the float from sinking and maintaining a set bouyant force.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention shall become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an orthographic drawing of the preferred embodiment float structure of the invention herein, as viewed from the top.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional drawing the preferred embodiment float structure of the invention herein, as viewed from the front.

FIG. 3 is an orthographic drawing of the preferred embodiment float structure of the invention herein, as viewed from the bottom.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, it should be noted that like elements are indicated by the same reference numerals throughout the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3, the first preferred embodiment float 1 of the invention herein is comprised of a cavitary body 11 having a generally rectangular shape and in which the hollow internal aspect is extruded from a plastic pliant material, thereby enabling buoyance and floatation in water; a first conjoinment structure raised seat 12 disposed at the upper extent of the cavitary body 11, affording a total of two raised seats 12, with each raised seat 12 of an octagonal shape; a recessed seat 13 disposed at the lower extent of the cavitary body 11 such that it serves as a second conjoinment structure aligned vertically with said raised seat 12, each recessed seat 13 of an octagonal shape and each recessed seat 13 having an indentation 131; a plurality of tubular entities 14 disposed through the cavitary body 11, with a passage 141 formed in each tubular entity 14, one end at the upper aspect of each passage 141 in continuity with the raised seat 12 and the other end in continuity with the indentation 131 at the lower extent of the recessed seat 13; a shoulder section 132 formed at the bottom portion of each indention because the diameter of the passage 141 is smaller than the width of the recessed seat 13 indentation 131; a shallow trough 15 disposed laterally from top to bottom around the cavitary body 11; and a plurality of floating bodies 2 that are disposed in the cavitary body 11 and consist of plastic-construction, hollow spheres.

In the preferred embodiment structure of the invention herein, in addition to the float 1 containing air in its cavitary body 11, which thus enables flotation capability in water, the plurality of floating bodies 2 are also disposed in the cavitary body 11 and, as such, when float 1 impact and wear damage results in leakage and a loss of the floating body capability it should possess, their supplementation constitutes another source of buoyance, and since each floating body 2 is a discrete physical entity, numerous floating bodies 2 becoming damaged simultaneously is of low probability, as a result, when the float 1 is impact damaged, even though water outside seeps into the float 1, each floating body 2 still supports the entire float 1 in retaining a major portion of its buoyance, preventing the float 1 from sinking and maintaining a set bouyant force, while protecting the structural capability and safeness of each float 1.

In summation of the foregoing section, the structural design of the preferred embodiment features a float 1 that contains supplementary floating bodies 2, therefore, when the float 1 is impact damaged, the float 1 does not sink and a set buoyant force is maintained, thereby protecting the structural capability and safeness of each float 1; furthermore, the floating bodies 2, for example, can be kept in the float 1 by a removable or a sealed cover entity, or any other suitable closuring means; the floating bodies 2 are not limited to the plastic-construction, hollow spheres configuration of the disclosure and can be of other configurations possessing floatation capability or constructed of a different material that is effectively utilized to provide the unique features of the invention herein; additionally, the present arrangement of the invention herein which provides said unique features is not limited in application to the preferred embodiment float 1 structure of the invention herein, but utilization also includes the Taiwan Patent Bulletin numbers 254801, 259076, 259077, 260135, 287513, 315829, 329080, 370072, 370958, and 358452 of the prior art as well as other internally hollow float structures.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that the invention herein is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretations and equivalent arrangements. 

1. A float structure having supplementary floating bodies that is comprised of a cavitary body, the hollow internal aspect of which enables buoyance and floatation in water, and a plurality of floating bodies disposed within said cavitary body; given said arrangement, when a float, containing said plurality of floating bodies in said cavitary body, incurs impact and wear damage that results in leakage and a loss of the floating body capability it should possess, the supplementation provided constitutes another source of buoyance that supports the entire said float in retaining a major portion of its buoyance, thereby preventing said float from sinking and maintaining a set buoyant force.
 2. A float structure having supplementary floating bodies as claimed in claim 1, wherein said floating bodies are fabricated of a plastic material.
 3. A float structure having supplementary floating bodies as claimed in claim 1, wherein said floating bodies consist of hollow spheres.
 4. A float structure having supplementary floating bodies as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cavitary body has disposed on it a first conjoinment structure and a second conjoinment structure; when two said floats of the invention herein are stacked into an assemblage, said first conjoinment structure of the rear said float is inserted into said second conjoinment structure of the front said float to thereby enable the connective assembly of said two floats.
 5. A float structure having supplementary floating bodies as claimed in claim 4, wherein said first conjoinment structure is a raised seat.
 6. A float structure having supplementary floating bodies as claimed in claim 4, wherein said second conjoinment structure is a recessed seat.
 7. A float structure having supplementary floating bodies as claimed in claim 4, wherein said cavitary body has a tubular entity disposed through it and a passage is formed in said tubular entity.
 8. A float structure having supplementary floating bodies as claimed in claim 6, wherein said recessed seat also has an indentation.
 9. A float structure having supplementary floating bodies as claimed in claim 7, wherein said first conjoinment structure is said raised seat and said second conjoinment structure is said recessed seat, and one end of said passage is in continuity with said raised seat and the other end is in continuity with said recessed seat.
 10. A float structure having supplementary floating bodies as claimed in claim 1, wherein said each floating body is a discrete physical entity. 